Paris Saint-Germain have explained why they suspended Lionel Messi for two weeks with immediate effect.
This suspension against the backdrop of his unauthorised trip to the Saudi Arabia, following their 3-1 loss to Lorient last weekend.
This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.
Romao tweeted: ‘Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm.
‘The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCsport.’
PSG manager Christophe Galtier had earlier promised his players that they would have two days off, Monday and Tuesday, if they defeated Lorient on Sunday.
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However, Galtier made it clear that a loss would see the players being called in for training on Monday.
Messi had requested to travel to the Arab gulf to honour his sponsorship deal as a Saudi ambassador.
Galtier and sporting director Luis Campos gave him approval to go only if PSG win or draw, but not a defeat.
However, following the 3-1 defeat to Lorient, Messi flew to Saudi Arabia without asking again for permission, meaning he could not attend training on Monday.
The Ligue 1 leaders had slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to mid-table Lorient after having Achraf Hakimi sent off in the first half.
Lorient was already ahead through Enzo Le Fee’s early goal at the Parc des Princes before Hakimi was dismissed for a second yellow card inside the opening 20 minutes.
Kylian Mbappe equalised for the home side in opportunistic fashion, pouncing to score after Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo had thrown the ball to the ground wrongly thinking the referee had blown for a free-kick.
Yet Lorient deservedly retook the lead before half-time when Darlin Yongwa converted from close range, and they made sure of the win late on when Bamba Dieng ran through unchallenged to score at the second attempt after Gianluigi Donnarumma had stopped his shot.